Leaves may fall but Maple Leafs will rise this October

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If you are a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, what possible reasons are there to watch a team that is completing their third train wreck of a season?  Even those who have difficult personal lives, if they look deep down inside they could find some positives.

While it may not seem like there's any reason to be positive in this final stretch of games, Leafs fans need to see past the carnage.  With the draft up-coming, there's a lot of reasons to get excited about the Leafs' last ten games.

Reason #1: How low can they truly fall?
For the first time since the draft selection of former captain Wendel Clark, the Leafs have never had any chance at obtaining a high draft pick. They have had 9 of the last 10 seasons with no playoff dates at the Air Canada Centre. That’s true! However, after this latest collapse, they have actually helped the team begin a full rebuild. With each loss they endure, they are giving their fans hope and a future at obtaining either star forward Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. It’ll sound strange to say but root for the teams that the Leafs have left in their schedule and hope goalies James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier let more goals in.

Reason #2: The development of the youth.
As they begin the full rebuild, play the young kids. What’s the point of playing Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak or Joffrey Lupul? What’s that going to accomplish? Play the young kids. Sit Jonathan Bernier on the bench and see what you have once and for all from goalie James Reimer. The roster needs a full tear down this summer. This summer Leafs’ management can assess where they go with Reimer. Bring the kids up from the Toronto Marlies and give them a chance to shine in the National Hockey League. Keep forward Sam Carrick and defenseman Andrew McWilliams up. Put defenseman Morgan Rielly in more important situations. Play the kids now!

Reason #3: Enjoy the farewell tour of the aging veterans.
If President Brendan Shanahan is taken at his word, Leaf Nation should be enjoying the final 10 games of the aging veterans being associated with their favorite hockey club. Captain Dion Phaneuf might be shipped out and that could get some draft picks. Goodbye Joffrey Lupul! Goodbye Tyler Bozak! Goodbye James van Riemsdyk! The Leafs already have draft picks acquired trading defenseman Cody Franson, Daniel Winnik, Olli Jokinen and Mike Santorelli.
So keep your chin up Leaf Nation! Yes while you will be watching teams, other than Toronto, compete in the playoffs the future is finally bright in Toronto.